Packing a bike

[Virago]

...Good luck!

Tamati

I don't think they'll need luck now - this all happened five years ago...

[jaffaonajappa]

Five years ago - seems most of the discussion was about magnetic tank bags wiping the magnetic strips on your credit cards? ROFL.

Only one or two people mentioned weight distribution or loadings. Plus Tamati, yesterday.

Think the most important thing is to keep the weight as low as possible, as close to the front or centre of the bike as possible, and secure it tightly - avoid having any straps that can interfere with your drivetrain (or bars!), or flaping around, and double secure anything not bolted on.

Soft panniers are my favourite - secure them well so they dont move, and the weight is low down, virtually no impact on bike handling/stability. Tie any tent/sleeping bag to the back seat. Should only need them packrack things if you intend tramping? or taking a pillion.

Keep seeing these guys with Humungous hard cases up high, behind their pillion seats. Virtually a meter up and almost behind their rear wheel. Thats surely going to screw up the bikes handling dynamics - not to mention how farken ugly it looks

And get the biggest tankbag you can without it interefring with comfort and movement around the cockpit/controls - bars.

[BMWST?]

Five years ago - seems most of the discussion was about magnetic tank bags wiping the magnetic strips on your credit cards? ROFL.

Only one or two people mentioned weight distribution or loadings. Plus Tamati, yesterday.

Think the most important thing is to keep the weight as low as possible, as close to the front or centre of the bike as possible, and secure it tightly - avoid having any straps that can interfere with your drivetrain (or bars!), or flaping around, and double secure anything not bolted on.

Soft panniers are my favourite - secure them well so they dont move, and the weight is low down, virtually no impact on bike handling/stability. Tie any tent/sleeping bag to the back seat. Should only need them packrack things if you intend tramping? or taking a pillion.

Keep seeing these guys with Humungous hard cases up high, behind their pillion seats. Virtually a meter up and almost behind their rear wheel. Thats surely going to screw up the bikes handling dynamics - not to mention how farken ugly it looks

And get the biggest tankbag you can without it interefring with comfort and movement around the cockpit/controls - bars.

on the money here,only comparable way is haveing hard bags that are a good fit onthe bike.Top boxes are convenient if you have to carry a bit of stuff all the time,but i would go for a tank bag.

[dogsnbikes]

Soft panniers are my favourite - secure them well so they dont move, and the weight is low down, virtually no impact on bike handling/stability. Tie any tent/sleeping bag to the back seat. Should only need them packrack things if you intend tramping? or taking a pillion.



And get the biggest tankbag you can without it interefring with comfort and movement around the cockpit/controls - bars.

Like this one I can easly fit a 18pack of woodies and a $30 BBQ pack and it doesn't interfer with the riding postion

[jaffaonajappa]

Like this one I can easly fit a 18pack of woodies and a $30 BBQ pack and it doesn't interfer with the riding postion

argh, now theres a Lot of gear. Plus space for a pillion.....I assume you have a pillion onboard?
I might go chuck my touring stuffs on my 150 and take a funny photo, hehehe.

[dogsnbikes]

argh, now theres a Lot of gear. Plus space for a pillion.....I assume you have a pillion onboard?
I might go chuck my touring stuffs on my 150 and take a funny photo, hehehe.

Yip had a pillon ....there is only one word to explain that much gear "women"

[caseye]

Got BM Wubblew panniers that have been custom fitted to me old Coal Burning XV!000 Yammy. They take care of most of the gear I need to carry when going away. Also have a custom pack rack frame made by my Fitter turner broinlaw that takes a very big back pack.
Awesome lad distribution and nothing can escape.
Do make sure your loads are well secured and as low as possible, can't go to far wrong then.

[FJRider]

I fitted Givi hard luggage onto my FJ ... Custom made frame to put them where I wanted them. A re-position of the rear indicators ... a little more towards the rear of the bike.

The 42 litre (I think) top-box, is big enough to hold 2 helmets ...

And the two 36 litre side bags, big enough to hold all I need for rallys ... and with the tank bag ...

Plenty of space for a passenger ... and their gear too ...